I expected a slow start out of Richards, and I expected a slow start out of Brown. The style those guys play is destructive on their bodies. These are guys that aren't out there against creampuffs, their lines draw the oppositions best - usually big, strong guys.

There is a reason Brown took so long to go play overseas. He got absolutely creamed a few times in the Phoenix series, and it's a testament to his drive and will that he made it through the finals. Richards plays the same way, and dished out and took some brutal hits.

Did anyone really honestly expect that these two would be hitting the gym in August/September? They likely weren't even healthy enough to start pushing it until December. To even consider trading Richards at this point is beyond ludicrous. Trading Richards would mean Kopitar is our scoring center, our best shutdown center, and our best penalty killing center again. We know how that worked out.